Feeder-support.



C. J. MULLIN.

FEEDER SUPPORT.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. a1, 190e.

1 ,063,827. Patented June 3, 1913.

W/TNESSES.'

@am WWLJ coLuMBlA Pumoanmm to.. wAsmNo'roN, DA c COLMAN J'. MULLIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FEEDER-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 3, 1913.

Application filed March 31, 1906. Serial No. 309,140.

To all whom/1f may concern Be it known that I, COLMAN J. MULLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a certain newA and useful Feeder-Support, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for supporting an electrical conductor, usually a heavy cumbersome cable of large current carrying capacity and termed a feeder, in buildings and other structures.

The object is to provide a; supporting device operating to engage with the feeder frictionally and to so firmly grip said feeder as to hold it securely in place, thus overcoming the tendency ofthe feeder to slip, by reason of its weight, through the supporting means. Furthermore, the feeder is insulated from electrical contact with the supporting means at the place or places where the support orsupports are gripped on the feeder. Again, the construction of the feedersupport is simple and strong, andthe parts of said support may be assembled quickly. The construction is suchpthat the lsec'tlons or lengths ofl the feeder-inclo'sing conduitare coupled by my new feeder-support, and the operations of securingfthe feeder in place and of installing both the conduit and the feeder are facilitated by Athe use'of the new device. y I

Broadly stated,'the invention consists of a feeder support'ada'pted to be compressed around a cable or feeder for engagement frictionally therewith.l

` The invention further vconsists Vof'an adjustable feeder support, and an electrical insulating bushing which is adapted to be closed 'or compressed by said support into frictional engagement with a conductor or feeder. f f l Furthermore, the Ainvention consists of a junction box between sectionsl or lengths of a conduit, and a separable feeder support cooperating with the said box and one section or length of the conduit.

As a preferred construction of the support, I employ cooperating members adjustable relatively one to the other, one or both of said members having inclined surfaces internally thereof, and a compressible member within the aforesaid sup ort and adapted to be forced by the incline surface or surfaces thereof into engagement with the conductor. The compressible member may be in the form of a split metallic thimble, or it may be a split or divided bushing of insulating material, or I may, and preferably do, use both the metallic thimble and the insulating bushing.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation through a feeder support and panel or pull box constructed in accordance with this invention, a conductor or feeder being shown in elevation; Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a detail view in end elevation of the divided metallic thimble employed in the feeder support; Fig. 4 is an axial section through the same on the dotted line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an end view of a compressible insulating bushing; Fig. 6 is an axial section lon the line 6 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a detail end Viewy of another form of the divided'insulatin bushing adapted to be used "interchangea ly with the construction of Figs. 5` and 6; Fig. 8 is an axial section on the lineAS-S of Fig. 7.

An electrical conductor or feeder 10, of I any suitable construction and dimensions, is adapted to'k extend through a conduit, two lengths or sections of which are indicated at 11, 12, in Fig.' 1 of the drawings. The length 11 of the conduit is screwed into a gland 13, the latter being inclosed within one section'14 of a panel or pull box. Said section 14 is provided at its bottom with an inwardly extending fiange 15, on which flange rests the gland 13, for the purpose of connecting said parts 13, 14. The section 14 is provided at its upper end with an external flange 16, the latter engaging with a foot iiange 17 on another member 18 of the panel or, pull box. In assembling the parts of the panel or pull box, the gland 13 isslipped into the member 14 through the upper open end thereof, and Said member 14 is slipped into the member 18 throughl its upperopen end, thus operatively connecting the parts of the panel or pull box, andvenabling'the length or section 11 of the conduit to be screwed into the gland 13.

The feeder support consists of the members 20, 21, and means within said members for frictionally engaging with or gripping the conductor or feeder 10. The member 2() of the feeder support is provided at its upper portion with an internal thread into which is adapted to be screwed the length lor section 12 of the conduit. The lower part ,of the member 20 is reduced land provided with an external or male thread 22. Said lower part of the member 2O is also provided with an inclined surface 23 internally thereof, said inclined surface extending from the lower extremity of the member 20 to an internal shoulder 24. The other member 21 of the feeder support has an internal or female thread 25, into which is screwed the male threaded portion 22 of the hierber 20; nieinber 21 is thickened iitits lower p'ition to form an external ledge tir shoulder 2G, below which ledge or sli'oilldel' said uieinbei 21 is rediiced in di- Miieier sd :is t'o fit into the ripper o'pen end of the section 18 of the panel or pull box, whereby the' member 21 is received .into the ahl vor 11h11 box Sction 18, for the sh'oldi- -6 t fest ii'p'h sidsection 18, as show n by Fig'. 1; Fh'rtherm'oi, the merrber 21 of the feeder stippo'lt has an inelined surface 27 internally thereof, said surface 27 being in- 'clihe'd dppsitely the corresponding siirfac-'e Q3 fsf the iheniber 20. Th. hierber 21 ef the feeder su vport is not shly adapted tarea apen hap be hiep-mea by ,the ses, tidi 1 8A 'off the 'paheior pull box, but said iiieiri'l )eil 2 1 is held HXedly iii placeby a shitabreformpf clamp, Sii-Ch` :is the binding gereift/ 28, whieh is moaned in the Section 18, sdda "ted fii'rfriSoI-ial engagetheihe'niber 21. ith the meinher 21 held firi'nly in position, the member 20 is adapted forrqtative adnistiiient into the thraa par@ 2 5 ef the mehrhei- 21, iihei'ey the tne'ihber 20 ina'y he turned so tb" ina' e the iiielined surface thereof aperotiek weer@ er' fede fmhi the Surface 27 df'the h 'jeihb 2 1., Ehefr'eh ro 1it will be geen that. the cndetor nr Afeeder A10' extends lthrough the lengths 11, 12, f the eonduit, the memsis- 121.18m the and or 411150K, @d the' fitted ii'o'uiidthe feeder o`i' eoiiductor 10',

is nitide tapering itsmiddle portion t'oiv'id t respectlve end portlons thereof,

I nore 'clearly by Fig. 4, and thus th`imble, bQ`th internally and externaliy, has oppositely inclined surfaces. The t 'iiibl'e fitted within the Ar'riember's A2O, 21, fr" its respeetive incllned portions to have engagement with the surfaces 23, 27, of the respective members 20, 21, and it is evidentthat by rotating the member 20, so as to screw it into the member 21` the surface 23 bf said member 20. and the surface 27 of member 21, will operate on the double ta pe'red tliimble 30, to compressthe thimblel or reduce the diameter thereof.

Another element which I prefer to employ in the feeder support is an insulating bushing, two forms of which are represent- 'ed by Figs. 5, E, and 7, 8. respectively. In the 'construction of the bushingr 32, shown by Figs. 5 and `(i, it is made of one piece of suitable insulating material, the bushing being divided longitudinally by a slot or 'opening 33 in ene side thereof. The inner surface of the divided insulatingbushing is cylindrical, as at 34, but the ekternal surface of said biishing is provided with inclined. portions 36, corresponding to the oppos'tely inclined surfaces of the divided metallic thimble 30. The bushing 32 is f ltted snugly V.within the metallic thiinble 3, for the surfaces 35, 36, to haveenofagehiht with the inclined Surfaces of the thimble as shown by Fig. 1, but thecylindrical inner sii'rface 34 of the, bushing engages With the surface of the conductor or feeder 1o.

The bushing shtiivn by Fis. 5 and '(3, is adapted for use en 'cztbl'esof Il-ilrg'e diameter, for the purpose of frictioiially gripping said cable, and supporting it place against s ging under the Weight thereof, substantia ly as sh'o'vi/ n by 1. My feedersupport, h'oyvev'er may be used for supporting athis f S'miir diameter by the emphyrn'ent of bushings which may be Aused in lieu of the bushing `32. One forni of this reducingr bushing is represented by 7 and 8, wherein the bushingl 37 has sections 38', 39, the walls of which are unich thicker than the wall of the split bushing The sec-V tions 38, 39, are provided on their opposing faces with recesses L10, adapted to coincide or register, and produce an openingfor the accommodation of a feeder or conductor similar to the conductor 10, but of smaller diameter than the same. The sections forming the bushing 37 have inclined surfaces 41 adapted for engagement with the coresponding= surfaces ofthe metallic thimble 30, but the walls of the recesses 4 :0 are semi-cylindrical, so vthat a. passage of 1uniform iamet'er is provided l.in thebushing 37, .whereby said bushing has, a gripping surface adapted to engage with the feeder or conductor in a manner to securely hold the saine in place when the bushing is compressed upon said conductor by the action of the thimble 30, and the two part support 2U, 21.

Although 1 haveshown and described my new feeder support as having a metallic lLio iis

ifo

thimble 30, and a divided bushing, it will be understood that I do not desire to strictly confine myself to the use of both the thimble and the bushing, nor do I desire to strictly confine myself to a bushing made of insulating material.

The operation of the invention is readily understood. The parts of the panel or pull box are quickly assembled, and the section 11 of the conduit is attached to the panel or pull box by screwing it into the gland 13. The feeder is run through the conduit 11, 12, the panel or pull box and the support, one member 21 of the feeder support being held on the section 18 of the panel or pull box by the clamp 28. The thimble 30 and the insulating bushing are placed within the member 21, the bushing engaging with the feeder or conductor, and the member 20 is screwed into the member 21, whereby the two members coperate in compressing the thimble 30, and the bushing 32 or 36, so as to make said bushin engage frictionally with the conductor or supporting it securely within the new support. 1

It .will be understood that the feeder is not only supported mechanically by the new device, but said feeder is insulatedelectrically from the support at the place where the bushing is gripped thereon. I l Y As shown by F ig.v 2, the members 20,121, of the support may have hexagonal or polygonal surfaces for theapplication cfa? wrench or other tool in turningxone' orl parts.

Although I have shown the'new device as especially adapted for supportingyfamsin'glle feeder in an upright: position,I 'wouldhave it understood lthat myfinfve'ntio'nbe used in a variety "of ways. The'suppoi't may receive two or more conductors, and frictionally grip the same. It maybe used in a horizontal or in an inclined position.

Furthermore it may be used as a s'upportjfor other devices, such as pipes.

Changes in the form, size, proportion, and

minor details in construction maybe made without departing invention.

Having thus described my inventioinzwhat I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent is l. In a device of the class described, they combination with a sectional conduit, a pull box, and a conductor extending there-lv from thev spirit of theA invention or sacrlfcing any of the' advantages thereof, and I, therefore, reservefthe rightto make such alterations and modifications as fairly fall within the scope of my 2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a sectional conduit, a pull box, and a conductor extending therethrough, of a gripping device positioned between the adjacent ends of the pull box and one section of the conduit, said gripping device incasing the conductor for a part of its length and engaged directly therewith for supporting the weight of said conductor within the conduit.

3. The combination of a conduit, a conductor grip supported by the side walls of said conduit, a conductor incased within the conduit and frictionally engaged with said gripping device whereby the weight of the conductor is imposed upon the side walls of said conduit.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with members composing a conduit, a conductor iucased therein, and a pull box, of gripping mechanism positioned between adjacent lends of oneconduit member and the pull box and operatively connecting the same together, said gripping mechanism embodying coperatingmembers rotative withrespect to each other and a compressible member which incases the conductor and is retained in frictional .Contact therewith by said cooperating members. f5.5 In a device ofthe class described, the combination-with members composing a conduit, a conductor incased therein, fand a pull box', lof gripping .mechanism positioned j bev tweeny adjacent ends of one conduit member and the Epull boxiand operatively connecting thesametogether, said gripping mechanism einbodyingscrew threaded members coupled to'e'ach; other for'grelative rotativemovement and a compressiblemember positioned Withsib'le, member' being held in frictional engagement with t-he conductor by the operation of said screw threadedg members.

p' 6. In a4 devicenof the class ,described,.the combination with members ,composinga conduit, a conductorincased therein, and a pull box, oiucoactinggrip-operating members po-` sitioned betweenihe adjacent ends of 011e conduit member and the pull box and operatively connected therewitlnsaid grip-operating memberscbeingcoupled together for relative rotative movement, Aand divided .l

gripping means incasingfthe conductor for a partof its length and engagingfmctionally therewith by. the 'operation lofsaid grip-4 operating members y, l

7. The combination ofa substantially vertical conduit, a substantially vertical coni,

ductor'incased therein, and a gripping device attached to the conduit for imposing thev weight of said conductor upon the conduit, said gripping device embodying co operating members having 'frictional engagement with said conductor.

infthefscrew', threaded members and incas!E ing-h part othe (psonductor,.saidcompresfV ioo 8; Iii a device of the class described, a sectional conduit, a conductor incased therein, dividedl thimbl'e incasing said conductor for a part of its length, said thiinble being composed of electrical insulating inaterial, and cooperating members positioned between and connected ivith adjacent end portions of sections of the conduit, said c`o- 'operating members engaging with said divided thimble for compressing the latter into direct frictional engagement Willi the conductor;

9; The combination of it vertical conduit, a conductor incas'ed Within said conduit. and extending vertically therethrough, and a gripping device supported upon the conduit for iii'iposing the Weight of said conductor thereon, said gripping device embodying cooperating metallic i'nembers and means' for electrically insulating said metallic members from said conductor;

10'. In a device 'of the class described, a conduit, 'a feeder or conductor extending lengthwise through the saine, nienibers coupled to each other and to the conduit., and a divided bisliing adapted to be compressed i'ipon the incased cable or feeder by adjustment of said members, A

11. In a device of the class described, a sectional conduit, members' coupling Sections of saidA conduit, a conductor po'sitionedlwithin said conduit', a divided t-liitiible .Within said nieinbers, and :i divided bushing within the thinible, 'and means for compressing the bushing upon 'the conductor.' I

12. In 'a device o'f the 'class described, a Conduit; an electrical @nieuwe messed therein, cbpatihig members coupiiai t0- gether for` rotative adjustment, and griftiping ine'aiis adapted by the rotative adjiis mentv of the members to be gripped frictionally on said conductor inc's'ed ivitlhn said conduit;

l3. In a device of the class' described, a condditf, an electrical o'oii'ductor inca-'sed tliert'eiifi,` cooperating inetdbers coupled rotative adjustment, one of said meinbers having :in inclined surface, and grip )ing i'neans adapted to be compressed by said inclined surface upon said conduct-or.

14. In a device of the class described, as'ectionl conduit for an electrical conductor, members connecting sections of said conduit and screwed together, said nienibershaving surfaces inclined to each other, and conductor gripping means adapted to be conipressedwby said surfaces of the members.

l5. In a device of the clss described, a` conduit, condi'ictor incased therein, means for supporting the electrical 'conductor within said fconduit comprising members coupled for rotative adjustment, said members being provided cooperating inclined stirfaces internally thereof, and condtctor grip ing .ineens separate from said nieinb'er andj cooperatiiigilvith surfaces of said members and adapted to be compressed thereb1 I6. n a device of the class described, a conduit, means for support-ingan electrical condiictor Within said conduit comprising i'rieinbers provided with inclined surfaces internlly ther'eof, and gripping means also havingdinclined surfaces cooperating with the surfaces of Vsaid members and adapted to be compressed into frictional engagement ivitli in incl'osed conductor, whereby the Weight dfthe conductor is transferred to the conduit.

N17.- In a device of the class described, lIiezins for supporting an electrical conducvvit ,in a conduit comprising members coupled for rotative,adjustment, cach incinber being provided with an inclined surface, 'a metalli' thimble with inclined surfaces, saihdthiin le being within the members, and ciiipressible gripping medium within tlic ttiirribl.

,v 18,.4 In a device of the class described, inc ns for supporting an electrical conductoi comprising memberscoupled for rotativeadjusltinent, each ,member being provided lvvith an inclined surface, a metallic thiniblejvith inc ined surfaces, said tliiinblc bein 'o` ititxned Withiiitllie iiienibers, anda Iiisming, tliela-t-tcr having an cxe'rlnah.inclinedvlsurfacc and an internal cylindrical surface.

' Al aA device xof t-lie class described, a. .a conduit adapted to carry thc afresaidbox, ztnd a feeder support posi assed B we@ hie adjacent. ma portions f, the ,'p'ul boi: and a section of the conduit. (l f In a dev ice of the class described, a piill boit, 'a conduit on which the aforesaid boit is inoiinte'd, and a lfeeder support positio'ried ,betvv'e'en the adjacent end portions the pull box and a. section of tlie conduit,

feeder-support having anicuiber supporte ,y and clamped to the aforesaid box.

21.-, In a `device' of the class described, a pull box, a conduit adapted to' carry fthe aforesaid bon, anda feeder support intermediate ofthe aforesaid box and a sect-ion of the conduit, said,feeder-support coinprising cooperating members coupled for ,rotative adjustment, one of said members being held on the aforesaid box. p

22. In a device of the class described, a pull box, avconduitcn which the aforesaid boit, ismounted, and a tivo-part feeder support having its meinberslcoupled for rotative adjustment, one of said ,members being connected Withthe aforesaid box.

a device of the class described,

pul box, a conduit on which the aforesaid port having its members coupled for rotative adjustment, and means for clamping one member of the feeder support to said box.

24. A grip for vertical cable conduits comprising a gripping' member and a socket therefor, cooperating to secure said cable relatively to said conduit in the manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth.

An attachment of the class described for securing electrical conductors to their conduit, comprising a socket, a gripping member, and means operable respectively to actuate said gripping member within said socket, and to secure said socket to said conduit, to maintain said conductor in adjusted position within said conduit.

26. A grip for Vertical cable conduits comprising' a compressible gripping member, a socket therefor, and a compressing member cooperating to secure a cable relatively to a conduit in the manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth.

27. A grip socket for a vertical cable con duit, comprising a connecting member, and an adjustable grip member cooperating therewith to transfer the weight of the conductor to the conduit, substantially as described.

28. A gripping device for electrical conductors in vertical conduits of the class having a plurality of tubular sections, said device comprising a coupling means to receive and join the ends of adjacent tubular sections, and gripping means to engage and support a depending portion of said conductor, substantially as described.

29. An attachment of the class described for securing vertical armored electrical conductors in position within a conduit, comprising a socket; a gripping member; and means operable respectively to actuate said gripping member within said socket, and to secure said socket to said conduit.

30. The combination of a vertical conduit, a conductor grip attached to said conduit, and a conductor incased Within said conduit and engaged by said conductor-grip, g a substantial part of the weight of said conductor being suspended below the conductor-grip, the latter operating to impose the weight of said conductor upon the side walls of the conduit.

3l. The combination of a Vertical conduit, a conductor incased therein,.and a gripping device cooperating with the conduit and the conductor for imposing the weight of said conductor upon the conduit.

The combination with a vertical conduit, and a conductor incased therein, of a gripping device supported on the conduit and engaging frictionally with the conductor, said gripping device operating to impose the weight of the conductor upon the conduit.

33. A wire circuit protecting and supporting device comprising an annular threaded body having a tapering internal wall, a plurality of rigid tapering wedges separate from said body conforming to said wall and adapted to clamp a conductor within the body, and a threaded clamping ring engaging said wedges and the threaded body.

34. In a device of the class described, a conduit, an electrical conductor incased therein, cooperating members carried by the conduit and coupled together for rotative adjustment, and gripping means slidably engaged with the casing and adapted by the rotative adjustment of the members to be gripped frictionally on said conductor incased within said conduit.

In testimony whereof I have name to this specification in the two subscribing witnesses.

COLMAN J. MULLIN.

signed my presence of Vitnesses:

H. I. BERNHARD, R. A. MooNnY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents cach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C." 

